Margrave’s Bastard Son was The Emperor - Chapter 615

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 614. The Royalists and Hollin
“Princess Kaila is in critical condition?”
“Yes, her life is not in danger, but it appears the torture was quite severe. The Royalist officials have retreated inside the gates of Kalamata, and they say they will greet Bariel when he arrives.”
“…Torture, I see.”
Jin murmured with concern. There was human compassion for the suffering of the Hollin Family daughter, but he also worried whether Mrs. Danit might have taken some reckless action.
Ian, sensing Jin’s anxiety, added with more detail.
“There is no need for concern. Mrs. Danit recovered Princess Kaila thanks to Bariel’s mediation. It seems Mrs. Danit and the Royalists will soon enter into direct confrontation, but I suspect they will be too busy restraining each other to take any hasty moves. Moreover, since they now have reason to rely on Bariel, they will refrain from reckless actions for the time being.”
Ian had grasped the conflict between Mrs. Danit and the Royalists at a glance. The atmosphere he had witnessed at the mansion suggested as much, and when Mrs. Danit brought Princess Kaila, her complexion had been quite poor.
“How badly was she injured, and in what manner?”
“Severe contusions and fractures. Particularly, there is damage to her teeth and vision—”
At those words, Barsabe’s ears perked up.
“Most notably, there appears to be permanent damage to her ankles.”
Akorelra likewise turned her head sharply. These were the reactions of those who understood such pain. It was the moment Jin was about to let out a faint sigh.
“Your Majesty. Mrs. Danit has requested an audience.”
“Mrs. Danit? Let her in.”
With Jin’s permission, Mrs. Danit herself parted the tent flap and appeared. Blood was smeared across her green velvet dress, likely from holding Kaila.
She bowed politely in greeting, and then lowered her head to Ian as well, expressing her gratitude.
“I hear Princess Kaila’s condition is not good.”
“Yes, but thanks to Your Majesty, she has returned alive. We are grateful simply that she lives.”
“…I see. What is this about?”
Though the Imperial Palace had essentially driven her into that danger, Mrs. Danit’s demeanor was quite respectful, if only in appearance. There was clearly something else on her mind.
“Though my heart as a mother is shattered by the ordeal Kaila has endured, the great work remains the great work, does it not? After discussing with my daughter, we have decided that Kaila will not return to Bariel.”
Everyone except Jin and Ian looked somewhat surprised. Had they not witnessed firsthand Kaila’s yearning for the Empress’s throne at the Imperial Palace? Yet now she would not return to Bariel? Why?
“Kaila will remain here to assist me and dedicate herself to the reconstruction of Kalamata, and when the time comes, I myself intend to return to Bariel instead.”
This was unexpected. Even Ian’s eyebrows twitched this time. Her words meant she was handing over the beginning of Burgos’s new dynasty to Kaila.
It was Mrs. Danit who had been active in Burgos for nearly a decade, so it was natural that she would assume this beginning. Moreover, she was closer to the legitimate line as a collateral branch than Kaila, who was a generation removed.
But she shook her head.
“Is there a parent who does not yield to their child? Seeing her in such a wretched state, I could not refuse. However, I cannot abandon the Hollin Family in Bariel either, so I judged it best that I return.”
She would remain here until she could place the crown upon Kaila’s head.
In any case, the matter she conveyed was clear. Kaila had renounced the position of Empress.
“So I wish to consult with you on a matter.”
“…A consultation, you say?”
“Bariel was able to enter the gates of Kalamata by using my daughter’s blood as a stepping stone. I trust you will not deny this. The Hollin Family supplied them with inferior weapons at the Imperial Palace’s command, and bore the full risk.”
Bariel had entered without bloodshed, but the battle between the Royalists and Mrs. Danit remained. Whichever side survived would become Burgos’s new dynasty.
Mrs. Danit bowed her head and made her request to the Emperor.
“Currently, there are no operational Hollin Family forces available within Burgos. Due to the civil war and the Royalists’ vigilance against the rise of a third power, we were only able to entrust even simple supply and transport.”
Count Chandette, whom she had cultivated beforehand, existed, but he was insufficient when considering the caliber of enemies they would face.
“The younger faction within the Royalists seems persuadable, but those above them can only be purged. That is my conclusion.”
“Then?”
“Please provide military support. Even if you do not support me directly, help the Hollin Family increase its influence in Kalamata. Then, before long, the Royalists themselves will gather their forces and rise in rebellion.”
For a full decade, they had clung to power through mutual antagonism. Yet if the advantage shifted toward the Hollin Family, there was every possibility they would rise up in arms once more.
A bloodless entry now, but eventually someone would have to shed blood within Kalamat.
“However, there is one clarification. First, from Bariel’s perspective, it matters little whether the Royalists inherit the throne of Burgos.”
“I apologize. Please forgive my rudeness before I continue.”
Mrs. Danit bowed deeply to Jin as if she had been waiting for this moment, then resumed speaking.
“The matter of inferior weapons is sufficient to damage trust between Bariel and Burgos. Even if the parties involved settle it between themselves, it will be difficult to restore the scattered public sentiment. Those without legitimacy require public support to maintain power. Would it not be more rational to choose the Hollin Family over the Royalists?”
The inferior weapons matter was the last poison the Hollin Family held. Should they perish, it would spread far and wide, creating chaos everywhere—this was a plea to consider Bariel and the Hollin Family as one.
“The same applies to the Royalists. Hollin, do you not have your roots planted beside Bariel’s imperial palace? The Royalists will surely attempt to pin the inferior weapons matter as your sole action to use as a pretext against the Hollin Family, will they not?”
If so, the Royalists could eliminate the Hollin Family without difficulty, while Bariel could simply sit back and watch their influence crumble.
The crux was simple: whichever side received Bariel’s favor would emerge victorious, and to achieve that, Mrs. Danit would need to offer something more.
“Do you have anything else to say?”
Currently, Hollin had lost their monopoly rights and their territories had been reduced. Could they offer what Bariel desired? At Jin’s question, Mrs. Danit produced a bundle of documents from her bosom.
“What is this?”
“Bonds issued by the Royalists of Burgos up to this point.”
“…!”
“For your reference, these are profits obtained through other channels, not income from the inferior weapons transaction. I mention in advance that they are not subject to taxation.”
“Other channels, you say?”
“Compensation for receiving a portion of funds in exchange for the Royalists’ military operations. The details are written here. It has been reviewed together with the Hollin Family’s lawyer, so there are no issues.”
At Jin’s gesture, Ian accepted the documents instead. The dates and purposes of the bonds were recorded in meticulous detail. The amount far exceeded expectations—thirty thousand gold coins. Additionally, it included the right to claim ownership of certain territories within Kalamat.
“I offer this to you. In exchange, please provide us with appropriate military forces. If we then decisively eliminate the Royalists, Kaila will compensate you with double the bond amount in the future.”
If they failed to eliminate them? The bonds would become Bariel’s property, and he could demand that the Royalists repay the money. Either way, Bariel bore no risk.
Jin turned to look at Ian, and the two nodded simultaneously.
“Agreed.”
Mrs. Danit exhaled deeply as if releasing a long-held breath. Had this too been rejected, she would have been truly at a loss. She bowed deeply to the Emperor in gratitude.
“However, is there a need to dispatch many soldiers?”
“At least three thousand would be necessary for comfort—”
“Would it not suffice to eliminate only the Royalist officials first?”
“…That is true.”
Jin tapped the armrest of his chair with his fingertips, then looked toward the back. Xiaoxi stood guard like a shadow.
“Xiaoxi.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“You are suited for such work. Go quietly and return.”
“I shall obey your command.”
Mrs. Danit raised her hand in bewilderment. Surely this matter could not proceed so simply?
“Your Majesty. I speak with hesitation, but based on direct confirmation from the Royalist inner circle, this is a matter requiring careful approach. The individual appears to be merely an officer, and no matter how skilled, he cannot manage alone. The Royalist key officials number more than seven, and their vigilance is strict—it will not be easy. Please allow Mage Knights and Mages to accompany him as well.”
Thirty thousand gold coins in a single night. No, rather, if successful, double that amount would be given—how could one question such value? Of course, Jin did not doubt Xiaoxi’s capability, but as Mrs. Danit pressed the matter desperately, he paused briefly in consideration. Caution never hurt.
“Understood. I shall also have the Imperial Guards provide reinforcements.”
“Thank you.”
“First, we move toward Kalamat. Mrs. Danit, prepare yourself for departure as well.”
“Yes, then I shall take my leave. I thank you once more for your kindness.”
The Countess bowed deeply and exited the tent.
The Mages, who had been quietly observing the situation, whispered among themselves.
“Where on earth does she keep thirty thousand gold coins in different pockets?”
“Still, for ten years’ worth, it seems reasonable enough.”
“If it’s the Imperial Guards, will Berik go too?”
“He can’t go—it would exceed the budget. Count Xiaoxi alone is sufficient.”
“Come on, what are you saying? If he goes, we’d be in the red. And this is an assassination, not just anything—Berik would be perfect for it.”
“…Is that so?”
While the Mages debated Berik’s worth, Jin issued direct orders to Tweller and Xiaoxi.
“Enter Kalamata and gather complete intelligence on all the Royalist officials. Once you’ve finished mapping the interior of the castle, establish infiltration routes and a timeline, then report back.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Then let’s begin preparing to move as well.”
Whoosh.
Xiaoxi left the Emperor’s tent and headed toward the main encampment. To match the time he’d arranged with the Royalists, Bariel’s forces needed to begin moving soon.
Chirp, chirp—
Amid the loud chirping of crickets, Xiaoxi crossed the encampment with quick strides. Then he heard voices.
“What did you say? Princess Kaila?”
Between the tents, Chloe stood facing the Supply Officer. She looked far more disheveled than when she’d first left Bariel. With her arms crossed, she was discussing something serious with the man.
“Shh! Don’t speak so loudly. I only heard it secondhand. I’m not certain, but they say the situation is grave.”
“Good heavens, how did this happen?”
“No detailed information has been released. I’ll look into it further given time.”
“I see. So it’s true that something has happened to Princess Kaila?”
“Yes, yes. That much is certain.”
She had heard the news that Kaila, who had been seeking the position of Empress, had returned battered and broken.
Chloe was genuinely curious whether that sacrifice would be recognized as merit. Hadn’t the Emperor said so himself? That he would grant the position of Empress to those who went to war with him and earned distinction.
Crunch.
Chloe frowned as she tousled her hastily tied-up hair. They had already passed through two cities, yet she herself had accomplished nothing. But Kaila?
“Damn it.”
If she just stayed here quietly guarding supplies, it wouldn’t work. Chloe muttered something under her breath, then turned and disappeared between the tents.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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